U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 “Best Colleges” rankings were released today, and Villanova fans certainly have something to be happy about.

The Catholic university earned a spot among the top 50 national ranked colleges this year – beating out Temple University and Drexel University in the process. Villanova tied for #50 with Penn State, the University of Florida, and Pepperdine University, placing it in the top 16 percent of nationally ranked institutions.

Villanova University president Rev. Peter M. Donohuecalled the ranking “a significant milestone in the University’s history, and is one more example of how Villanova continues to move forward academically.”

Of the roughly 1,400 four-year colleges and universities nationwide listed by U.S. News,, 310 are classified as national universities. Villanova’s provost, Patrick G. Maggitti, said the university’s move into that realm was “a long-planned and intentional strategic decision.”

The University of Pennsylvania tied with Duke University at #8 this year. Other Pennsylvania universities that ranked include Carnegie Mellon University, which tied for #24, and Lehigh University, which tied for #44. Princeton University secured the #1 spot.

Several Pennsylvania colleges ranked on the national liberal arts colleges list, including Swarthmore (tied for #4), Haverford (#12), Bryn Mawr (#31), Bucknell (tied for #32), Lafayette (tied for #36), Dickinson (tied for #41), and Franklin and Marshall College (#47).